Supervisory electric control system



April 2,1935 F. F. AMBUHL ET A1. 1,996,268

SUPERVISORY ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 17, 1950 @Ehi Mameninv Canfnti 1 c 1 Sw ych Patented- Apr. '2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPERVISORY ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM rio, Canada Application July 17, 1930, Serial No. 468,481

7 Claims.

The principal objects of the invention are to minimize the number of Wires to be carried from station to station where controlled apparatus is installed, to effect a material reduction in the 5 cost of installation and maintenance, and to devise a system which will be quite flexible and may be operated with ease.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel arrangement of control devices, switches and signalling devices whereby the conu trol devices are manipulated through a single wire connection to the switch members, and signals indicating the condition of the control devices are incorporated into the arrangement.

In the drawing, Figure l is a very simple diagrammatic illustration of the fundamental principles involved in the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram similar to Figure l including means for indicating the functioning of the device.

Figure 3 is a diagram similar to Figure 2 showing a more complete arrangement of indicating apparatus.

It is frequently desirable, particularly in installation of electric apparatus in connection with the distribution of power, that control devices be installed at numerous distant points and that such shall be operable from a central sta- Y tion. Such control apparatus is usually in the form of electric circuit breakers which may have open and closed positions.

The present invention while being described as applicable to such devices, may, however, be applied to other devices having characteristics suitable for the number and kind of operations which can be performed with circuit breakers.

In carrying this invention into eiect, the first principle, as illustrated in Figure 1, consists in l the arrangement of a pair of common bus wire l and 2 which extend throughout the desired system and supply the source of power for operating the device for controlling the controllable members suchv as circuit breakers.

Connected With the wires i and 2 respectivel; are a pair of pallet switches 3 and 4 which are adapted to open and close in accordance with the operation of the circuit breaker being controlled.

Coils T and C are connected respectively with the pallet switches 3 and 4 and such coils are adapted to operate the circuit breaker and are connected together by a wire which is connected to the monowire M. This Wire extends along with the bus wires l and 2 to the control station where a suitable switch, here illustrated as a double-throw switch with terminals 6 and l is arranged. The bus Wires I and 2 are energized in any suitable manner, here shown as by a battery 8.

In the operation of this simple system the manipulation of the double-throw switch connects either bus l or 2 through the monowire M to each of the coils T or C and in accordance with the polarity chosen the circuit breaker will be caused to open or close through the flow of the current through the coils.

The arrangement of the pallet switches 3 and 4 obviates the necessity of a series connection between the coils T and C and the two busses. The switch 3 is adapted to be closed when the circuit breaker is closed and the switch 4 when the breaker is open.

It will thus be seen that two operations are performed over the monowire M.

When itis desired to obtain an indication in respect to the switch position, indication devices are incorporated according to the present invention in the monowire circuit, at the control end as illustrated in Figure 2 and now to be described.

The contacts 6 and 'I are connected to the busses l and 2 respectively While the switch arm S is connected to the monowire M.

Connected across the wires M and 2 is a relay 9 and connected across the wires M and l is a relay l0. The relay S moves a switch blade Il into engagement with a contact ll to close a circuit R from the negative bus 2 through wire 'i to the positive bus l and the relay I0 moves a switch blade l2 into engagement with a contact i2 to close a circuit G from the positive bus l to negative bus 2 through wire 1.

A circuit normally exists from positive relay l0, wire M relay 9 to negative. This circuit however has no effect on lamp indication relays 9 and ill since either 9 or IU is in effect shorted out by a circuit through Wire M, coils T or C and contacts 3 or 4 respectively. This latter circuit places approximately full line voltage on one or other of the lamp relays 9 or I0, depending on the position of the breaker with which contacts 3 and 4 are associated. The other relay of the two has impressed across its coil only a voltage corresponding to the line drop through J and upon the closing of the circuit breaker the pallet switch is opened and the switch 3 is closed. A circuit is thus prepared from the positive bus l through switch 3, relay T and coil i3 in wire M to the element S so that the Way is prepared for the subsequent opening of the circuit breaker when -switch S is manually closed against contact l.

t will also be noted that a circuit is established from the positive bus l through switch 3, coil T, wire M and relay S to the negative bus 2. The relay 9 is thus energized and it eects the closing of the switch blade IIv against contact Il and the circuit R is thus closed which includes a -red ,light and this gives indication that the Y breaker is closed. While the current for the energizing of the relay 9 iiows through the relay coil T, such current is not sufficient to operate .the ,relay T,

Vthat is to say, theV coils 9 and T rare of such differing Values oi resistance and turns thatfthe relay will operate but v4the coil T will not.

The switch S is assumed to beof the momentary .contact vtype and is normally in mid-position where it is out of contact with either` 5 or 7.

Relays Sand lll have windings of high resistance and-manyturns so that a relatively small Vcuiagent will sumce tooperate their armatures,

while relays T and C have windings of low resistance and few turns so that their armatures are inoperativev on small currents, but require currents Yof relatively llarge magnitude.

.It is an essential feature ofthe present invention zthat the ratio of the resistance and turns of relays 9 and I to that of T and C' be as high as possible. This Vhigh ratio of resistance and turns of the relays enables the use of the system over considerabhr extended distances. Further, the use .of relays in the specific relation set forth in the present invention as an intermediate control element `eiiecti'ng the ultimate r,control of vthe length of the system is materially reduced, where- Y as the present system will ensure the operation of the lamps at full eciency over a considerablyl extended distance by Aemploying relays as the initially actuated means, suchirelayshaving an vextremely high resistance comparable to the lamps which they control.

When the breaker is opened or opens by itself the current iiows from the negative bus 2 through the switch 4 which will then be closed and relay gC, wire M and relay IG back to the positive bus I.

lThe energizing or the relay lll moves the switch blade I2 into contact with l2 to close the green lamp circuit G from positive bus I'through wire' l to negative bus 2.

The coil of relay 9 is selectively constructed of diierent resistances and turns from vthat of the relay T and preferably of considerably higher resistance so that the current ilowing through the coil T will operate the relayv 9 but it is not suiiicient to operate the relay T. The same condition lthe system Veither Van audible or a'visible alarm or both,V to indicate any independent change in position of the monowire control through protective relay action. The diagram illustrated in Figure 3 shows such an arrangement.

The switch S and S of Figure 3 is of the multiple locking type remaining in the position of Y last use. The contacts Il and II' illustrated in FigurejZ are replaced by multiplecontaets IA, I4', Id, Id" which are adapted to `be closed simultaneously upon operation of relay 9 so that a oircuit is closed from negative bus 2 through contacts ,Hl-fle', lamp circuit R to the positive bus vl and simultaneously a circuit is closed through contacts I ll-I4"' which connects the positive bus through the lamp circuit W to the switch member S' when the said switch engages the contact I5.

The lamp circuit W will also be energized when switch member S engages contact IB by a circuit established from bus 2 through wire 23, switch blade S', contact lll, wire I1 and contacts 22"- 22'" in co-operation with relay Iii which connects the lamp circuit'W through the wire I9 to the bus wire l.

It is desirable that .an .audible signal be given at Athe same time the lamp circuit W is energized and a bell 'Bis provided, one terminal of which may be connected with the lead l andthe other to the bus wire i so that when the contacts? 22" are closed .as stated, the bell will ring.` It will thus be seen that the white light circuit W will be energized at the same time as will the bell circuit through the automatic operation of the circuit breaker so that a Visible ,and audible warning will be given.

In the circuit from switch S to Wire M a master key 24 is provided to eliminate inadvertent or malicious operation. This master key retains an open circuit unless it is closed by the operator when he desires to send a closing energy over V the monowire M. This master key also clears direct positive or negative potential from ,the monowire and permits correct functioning of the lamp relays 9 and l0.

`When the circuit breaker is in .the normally open position green lamps G will be lit since a circuit will then be Vclosed from positive bus l through contacts 22-,22', on relay Ill through wire 23 to negative-bus 2. Relay l will be at this time energized from bus I through wire M .coil C and pallet switch 'll to negative bus 2. Both ends of relay 9 winding will be connected to neg-l ative bus 2, one directly, the other through coil C and pallet switch consequently its coil have impressed across it, only a voltage due to line drop and the .dropin coil C proportional to the current through I il. Relay dwill therefore not operate at this itine.

Switch contacts S and S will normally, withv open breaker engage contacts 7 and I5 respectively. The circuit through 'I is open at master switch 24; that through I5 is open at I4I4", relay 9 being Ade-energized.

To close the circuitbreaker the control switch is moved to the closed position, S making contact on 5 and S making contact on I6. When master key 2d is operated a circuit is made from positive bus I through contact blade S and 24 v through wire M, coil C and pallet switch ll to negative bus. The breaker closes and in closing opens l and closes 3.

Relay l is de-energized through the shorting of its coil by contact 3 closing. Relay 9 is energized from positive bus l through 3, T, M, to negative bus 2.

In the event of the circuit breaker opening when the apparatus is in the position described through overload relay action or some other cause, the relay 9 will become de-energized and the relay I will be energized, thus causing the red light to go out and the green light to light up. The white light also lights under such conditions and the alarm bell rings. An audible Warning is thus given to the attendant and a glance at his keyboard will indicate to him the particular circuit breaker that has caused the trouble by reason of the white light signal. He can then eliminate the ringing of the bell and put out the white light by moving the switch S and S', (Figure 3) so that it will agree with the circuit breaker position.

It will be noted by reference tov Figure 3 that should the monowire M be open-circuited by breakage or by design, full voltage will be impressed across the relay coils 9 and Ill causing both to operate and consequently causing both lamps R. and G to light up. Alarm lamp W will also be caused to light up irrespective of the position of the key by virtue of the presence of contacts I5 and I6. A visible indication is thus obtained of trouble on the monowire circuit or of the fact that the particular unit is inoperative.

Heretofore, in previous supervisory control systems the alarm lamp W and only one of either R or G would be illuminated at any given time irrespective of the condition of the apparatus.

It will thus be seen that superimposed on the ordinary green and red light indication it is possible, over the monowire circuit described, to provide an additional supervisory indication to show when the control switch does not agree in position with the controlled equipment at the distant sub-station and it also gives an audible indication of the independent operation of the controlled equipment.

It might be found desirable to add an audible signal to co-operate with the operation of the relay 9 similar to that shown as applied to the relay I0, but the application of such would come within the scope of the present invention so that an audible signal would be given when the control switch differs either way from the position of the equipment being controlled.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 the red and green lamps momentarily indicate the position of the control switch S while the master key 24 is depressed. This is caused through the short circuiting of one lamp relay coil and the energizing of the other with a full bus potential by a circuit completed through the master key 24 on either contact 6 or 'I of the switch S. This may not be desirable.

In order to have the lamps R and G always indicate the true position of the circuit breaker, even during the short period that the master key 24 is closed, two additional coils 9 and I0 are here shown as arranged in position respectively with the relays 9 and I 0 in Figure 3. These coils are connected in the common or monowire line M to the distant station and are preferably of fewer turns and heavier Wire than the coils 9 or I0 respectively and capable of carrying suflicient closing current for the relays T and C when the master key 24 is closed for switch operation. At other times they carry only a small fraction of the closing current, that due to the lamp indication relays. The effect is as follows:

vThe number of turns and the resistance of the coils in the system may be accurately proportioned so that relay coil T or C will operate when connected in line with only coils 9 and I0 or by itself, but will not operate when connected in line with 9 or 'I0 and 9' and I0 or with either 9 or Ill,

Assume the circuit breaker to be in the open position with the light G lit and relay I0 energized by current flowing from positive bus I through leads I'-I, coil IIl, wire M, coils 9'-Ill, wire M, coil C, switch 4 to negative bus 2. Current is thus iiowing through coils I0 and I0 in a common direction so that they produce collectively a combined magneto-electromotive force on' the armature tending to hold the relay II! in its closed position. Now in order to close the circuit breaker the switch blades S and S are moved to engage the contacts E and I6 respectively and then the master key 24 is closed for a sufficient time only to effect the operation of the relay C. Simultaneously, the coil of the relay I0 is shorted through wire M, key 24, switch S, contact 6 to bus Wire I and so is de-energized, while that of relay 9 is energized by full line potential from bus wire I through contact 6, switch S, key 24 and wire M through coil C, switch 4 to negative bus. Ordinarily this would cause a change in lamp indication, but the closing current for relay C passing from bus I through contact 6. switch S, key 24 and wire M passes also through the relay coil 9 in a direction opposite to the direction of ilow of the current in the coil 9 and in so doing sets up a counter magneto-motive force to that in coil 9 so that the armature of relay 9 and the contacts associated therewith, do not change position.

'I'he current passing through the last-mentioned conductors passes from the coil 9 through the coil I9 to the remote or field side of wire M then through relay coil C and switch 4 to bus wire 2 completing the circuit, and although coil Ii) has been de-energized, the simultaneous energizing of coil IIl with a current having a directional flow the same as that through I0 before it was de-energized by snorting, causes the relay I0 to remain closed. The indication is therefore not affected through the contacts 6 or 'I and 24. The above is a momentary condition during lthe short period in which the key 24 is depressed and when the circuit breaker operates in consequence of the closing of relay C (and assuming the key 24 to be now open), the pallet switches 3 and 4 change position and the closing current for C is cut ofi.

A circuit is thus established from bus I through switch 3, coil T, wire M, coils IIl-9-9, lead 23 to negative bus 2, coil ID being at this time connected at both ends to positive bus I so that it is snorted or de-energized.

It will thus be seen that the flow of current through coils IIT-9' is now in the reverse direction to what it was as previously defined above and since coil ID is now cie-energized, the magneto-motive force of l0 imparts an opening influence to the relay, and since the current flow through 9 and 9 is now in a common direction, their combined iniluence or magneto-motive force moves the armature and its contacts to closed position so that the lamps will now indicate the new (closed) position of the breaker.

Thus not till after the actual change of position of the circuit breaker is the change of indication brought about in the indicating lamps through the co-operation of coils .9'.and I0 with the respective relay coils 9 and I0 and their armatures and the switches 3 and 4 so that a false indication is at no time shown by said lamps.

Further, iin Athe event of the controlling switch having been moved to change Vthe position of the remote breaker and should `the breaker .refuse held-side of wire M, coil C, switch All back to negative bus, 2while coilfll is energized .from positive bus i-thr'ough -i '-l coil ill, wire M, coils V-i 53', eld side of wire M, coil C, rswitch tto negative, so that-lamp G will be energized by operation of relay Iii. j

VIt is desirable that the coils 8' and Ii .should have approximately the same number of ampereturns as coils 9 and l0. Coils ll and IB are oi 'the high resistance 'many-turn type whileV coils S and le' are of Vfew Vturns and are wound with heavier wire since they are `in series with the closing of the trip coils C or T and it is importantto note that the eiec't of the coils with relation to one another and the armature is determined to a large extent on the direction of flow of the current through the respective coils. l

While coils T and C have been shown as pertaining 'to two separate relays, it is obvious that equivalent means such as a .polarized relay having two windings or" low resistance can be used. f

into a complete Ycontrol board, each one beingvirtually independent'and capable of replace-v ment without aectingthe others.

lt has been particularly donned in this specication that the controlled device is in the form of a circuit breaker, but the system is not limited to such *but may be applied to any device, the control of which may have characteristics suitable for the number and kind of operations which Y, can be performed.

What we claim as o-ur invention isz- Y l. In a supervisory'electric control system, the combination with positive and negative bus wires, of a pair of relays having respective coils, means controlled by said relays including switching means selectively connecting one end of each ofV connected with said single wire and having se-V lectively engageable contacts connected respectively with said bus wires, a pair of relays having windings of high resistance and many turns compared to that of the coils of the former relays,

said high resistance windings having one end connected respectively with the respective Ypositive and negative bus wires and each having their other endconnected to said single control wire,- and indicating means controlled by said high resistance relays in accordance withthe operation of said Jhrst-mentio-ned switching means-the 4resistance of `.sa-id second-mentioned `*relays VYbeing suiciently greater Athan l'that ofthe irst-men--V tioned relays that current passing therethrough is finsuiiicient tto `operate the mst-mentioned relays.

2. llnrasupervisory"electriccontrol systern, the

combination-with positive 4and negative bus wires, or" a pair of relays having respective coils, means controlled by said relays-switching means oper-V atively `associated with said -relay `controlled means and --alternately connecting one endof. each -of said coils withthe respective bus wires in accordance `witlfithe operationof said relay` controlled means, a-single control wire connected to the other end ofeach of the relay coils, and,

nected respectivelyfw-ith `said, bus wires, -a pair ot relays having windings V'of high resistance and many turns compared to that of the coils ofthe former relays, lsaidfhigh resistance windings hav-V ing one end connected respectively with therespectivepositive -andnegatve bus'wires and eachr having their other end connected to said single control wire, and Yindicating lamp circuits having indicating lamps therein associated respectively with and controlled by said high `resistance relays in accordancerwith the operation orrsaid first-- mentioned switching means, the resistance of said second-mentioned relays being suiciently,

greater than that of the inst-mentioned relays that current passing therethrough is insuiicient to operate the -rst-mentioned relays.

3. In a supervisory electric control system, the

combination with positive and negative bus wires,

of a pair of relays having respective windings, means controlled by said relays, a single control wire connected to one end of each of said relay windingsa switch member connected with said single Vwire and having contacts Yselectively engageable therewith and respectively connected to Vsaid positive and negative bus wires, relays having windings Vof'high-resistance and many tur-ns compared to that of the aforesaid relays and being each connected at one end to the single wireA and having their other ends connected respectively to the respective power wiresflanip circuits having indicating lamps therein controlled by said high resistance relays, said controlled means including switch means interposed between said bus wires and the other end of said r's't mentioned;

relay windings to direct current selectively'from either of said bus wires through one' or other of said 'rst mentioned relay windings to said single control wirerin accoidance'with the operation of said 'rst-Inentioned pair of relays torselec'tively energize the high resistance relays, andnieans selectively controlled by said Vlast-i'nentioned switch means for temporarily controlling the actionof said'highresistance relays. l

4. In a supervisory electric control system,V the combination with positive and negative bus wires, of 'a pair of relays having respective windings, means controlled by said relays, a single control wire connected to one end of each of said relay wires, relays having windingsof high rsistance and many turns compared to that of the aforesaid relays each connected at one end to the single wire and having their other ends connected respectively to the respective bus Wires, lamp circuits having indicating lamps therein controlled by said high resistance relays, and switch means inten posed between said bus wires and the other end of said first-mentioned relay windings and operatively associated with the means controlled by said low resistance relays to direct current selectively from said bus wires through one or the other of said low resistance relay windings to said control wire in accordance with the operation of said mst-mentioned relay controlled means, relay control coils iniiuentially related to said secondmentioned relays and having a variable connection withr said positive and negative bus wires through said last-mentioned switch means to temporarily prevent the operation of the corresponding high resistance relays until the position of said manually operable switch member agrees with the position of the low resistance relays and the means controlled thereby, and means separate from said manually controlled switch for momentarily closing the control wire circuit.

5. In a supervisory electric control system, the combination with positive and negative bus wires, of a pair of relays having respective windings, means controlled by said relays, a single control wire connected to one end of said relay windings, a manually operable fixed position switch member connected with said single Wire and having contacts selectively engageable therewith and respectively connected to said positive and negative bus Wires, relays having windings of high resistance and many turns compared to that of the aforesaid relays each connected at one end to the single Wire and having their other ends connected respectively to the respective power Wires, a lamp circuit controlled by each of said relays, said lamp circuits having lamps therein for indicating the respective operations of said low resistance relays, said controlled means including switch means for directing current selectively from either of said bus wires through one or other of the windings of the rst mentioned relays to said single control wire in accordance with the operation of the means controlled by said rst mentioned pair of relays, a third light circuit having contacts cooperating with both of said relays, an indicating lamp in said third circuit, switch means co-operating with said manually operable switch to control the energizing of said third light circuit, and a momentary contact switch in said single control wire.

6. In a supervisory electric control system, the combination with positive and negative bus Wires, of a pair of relays having respective windings, means controlled by said relays, a single control Wire connected to one end of said relay windings, a manually operable iixed position switch member connected with said single wire and having contacts selectively engageable therewith and respectively connected to said positive and negative bus wires, a pair of multiple contact relays each having operating coils of high resistance and many turns compared to that of the first mentioned relays, said coils being connected at one end to the respective bus wires and each having their other end connected with said single control Wire, one contact of each relay being connected by a common lamp circuit with one of the bus Wires. the respective contacts engageable therewith each being connected to a pairof spaced contacts, a second contact of one of said relays being connected by a separate lamp circuit to the aforesaid bus wire, a manually operable switch member connected with the co-operating contact of said latter lamp circuit contact and selectively engageable with said spaced contacts and moveable in unison with said manually operable switch member, the other relay having a contact connected by a lamp circuit to the aforesaid bus wire the co-operating Contact thereof being connected with the other bus wire, said relays each having a control coil connected with said single control wire at one end and with a respective one of said bus wires at the other end for temporarily controlling the action of the high resistance relays, indicating lamps arranged in said respective lamp circuits, and switch means independent of said manually operable switch member for momentarily completing a circuit through said control wire.

7. A supervisory electric control system as claimed in claim G in which said control coils are connected in series and form part of said single control wire.

FRANK F. AMBUHL. WILLIAM F. SUTHERLAND.

CTL 

